A reason for concern

TILL recently, top US officials have been visiting Pakistan to get briefing on the volatile situation in the region that, in the words of President Barack Obama, has become the 'central front' in the fight against Al-Qaeda. And with the finalization of the AfPak policy, the US officials, special envoy to Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke and Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm Mike Mullen arrived in Islamabad on Monday to tell Islamabad to implement it. Both the leaders will hold meetings with President Asif Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and COAS Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani. They have come armed with the proverbial carrot and stick, as the US has increased troops in Afghanistan by 17,000, to be deployed in South of the country, which means heightened activity alongside the Durand line. The second aspect of the AfPak policy is much more alarming. It views Pakistan as a most dangerous place on account of alleged terrorist safe havens in FATA and elsewhere where the US believes Al-Qaeda and its local supporters have taken shelter. The AfPak strategy requires Pakistan to take action against them. It will not be erroneous to think that both the camps in the course of time would have developed a close liaison, as Admiral Mullen claimed that he had gone out of his way to build a rapport with his Pakistani counterpart General Kayani. But statements of the sort look cosmetic when seen in the broader perspective where the US has been gradually building pressure on Pakistan, pushing it into a corner. Consider for instance the warning by President Obama made earlier, that Pakistan will be held accountable for its potential failure to act against terrorism on its soil. What is more, the US Administration, as stated by Defence Secretary Robert Gates a few days back, suspects the ISI of having shadowy links with Taliban and other terrorist groups in the region. Meanwhile, it is disconcerting to know that the Americans are bent upon continuing drone attacks. What is worse, the option of expanding the area of their operation into Balochistan is also under consideration. Under the circumstances, there is an urgent need on the part of the Pakistani leadership to raise these issues with US officials. Most important, the Kashmir issue must be included in the AfPak policy; for until the resolution of the conflict, Pakistan will not be able to withdraw its Army from the eastern front and deploy it on the western side. Though the US claims that it is Pakistan's steadfast ally, it would have to do more to help it get out of the eye of the storm.